Spring 2003 Newsletter

I am writing you on the eve of a unique, special event  for DateAble.  The DateAble Reunion is a chance for old friends to unite and recent members to meet alumni members. We at DateAble are anticipating a big turn-out for this event.  Now it is up to you to keep the momentum going by attending upcoming events.

In April, I will be cerebrating my 11th year of being the Executive Director of DateAble.  I’m very proud of that accomplishment although even I get stale when it comes to creating the event calendar.  I need your assistance dreaming up new things to do so if you have a feasible suggestion, pick the phone up and call me.

In May, we are going to King’s Dominion amusement park and we have a few empty seats on the bus.  This is actually a Making Connections trip rescheduled from last year.  Don’t let these seats go to waste.

Some members have expressed a concern about the joint events between DateAble and Making Connections and going forward, DateAble will start having DateAble-only parties unless noted differently.  In addition, the success of any event depends on your involvement.  If you are planning on attending an event, please RSVP by the date indicated on the calendar.  Events in the past have been cancelled due to a very poor response.

WE, AS STAFF, LISTEN, SO CALL AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS (or e-mail or fax, we want to hear from you)

I hope to see you at upcoming events!

Robert

May 2003

June 2003

Bringing a Guest

While it may seem so simple when you want to bring a guest to DateAble events, it's not so easy.  Each member may bring a person to an event as a guest only once before the guest is required to join DateAble.  We are a membership organization and therefore, most of our events should be for members only.  Does that mean you can't ask a friend to an event?  Of course not.  Your friend is welcome to one event as your guest and then they must join DateAble to continue attending events.  No exceptions.

Please call Robert or Bonnie at the DateAble office 301-657-DATE if you have any questions regarding this policy.

New to You on the Web

 There are always new informative, interesting, and insightful websites that may be new to you.  This section highlights some websites you may not have visited.  You may visit these websites at a computer near you or stop by the DateAble office and use our cyber cafe.  The cyber cafe is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:30am until 3:30pm.  If you use the cyber cafe, please know that this is not an internet training session and you are expected to have knowledge of using a computer and the internet.

www.bethesda.org      

 To find out what is happening in and around Bethesda, Maryland

www.ncpc.org     

For security and safety tips from the National Crime Prevention Council

www.usps.com

 Purchase stamps online or change your address with the United States Postal Service

 www.wtopnews.com

Listen live to WTOP radio on your computer or read their news stories on-line

  www.foodtv.com

Search this popular cable television channels website for over 23,000 recipes

  www.giantfood.com

Didn't get a Sunday newspaper?  Visit the grocery store website for the weekly ad 

 www.halftheplanet.com

 Keep in touch with this advocacy organization that supports the values of the ADA

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High -Heeled Shoe,

An Essay

 By Christyna Hunter, DateAble Member 

It defies gravity. It lifts the human body up to heights that the body was never meant to be.   It shifts and molds human bone and flesh to its own will.   And despite its tortuous ways, it possesses immense control over half of the human population.  Yes, I am speaking of the high-heeled shoe.

The high-heeled shoe is an anomaly of our culture that I just recently took stock of. I was in the mall the other day, classically dressed in jeans and tennis shoes, eating a chef’s salad (while craving a burger and fries), when I witnessed an inhuman act.   A lovely woman, with sleek jet-black hair and a suit that matched her hair color, walked by me, laden with bags straining her arm muscles.  Her bags crinkled and whooshed as they shifted with the purpose of her every step.  Determined, she seemed, to get to her destination.  And despite the numerous bag handles that strained her hands and fingers, she also grasped a cup of soda.

This isn’t all that unusual, I can hear you say.   And that is true.  If it weren’t for the fact that the woman was performing this feat on two-inch spiked heels!

High-heeled shoes have always fascinated me.  I have a disability, a mild form of cerebral palsy that prohibits me from using these devices of torture.  Despite the prohibition, or maybe because of it, I am fascinated by the high-heeled shoe.   I’ve heard enough men say that they find high-heeled shoes on women to be sexy.  The height of the heel makes women taller. The sight of the female foot sheathed in thin straps and hardly anything else apparently gets the male tongue wagging.

However, I’ve yet to see a man proudly stride through the mall, heavy bags and soda cup in hand, in high-heeled shoes (although the image certainly brightens my dull day).

Watching this delicately thin woman perform this feat relieves me.  I can use my disability as an excuse not to wear these shoes. Many work places expect women to dress professional, which include this type of footwear. But I wonder, after wearing these types of shoes at least five days a week over many years, won’t permanent damage be done?  Will this lovely twenty something end up to be a forty something with damaged feet and ankle bones?  And if so, would it be worth it?  Meeting the demands of society’s image of beauty could lead to permanent damage.

The young woman continues down the hall, oblivious to my observation.  I return to munching on my chef salad, and I wiggle my toes in my warmly enclosed tennis shoe.

Editor's Note: Thank you Christyna for contributing to the newsletter.  Members are welcome to contribute story ideas and articles to the newsletter.  Just call the DateAble office and we'll get you started.